Nine Chapters of Strange Cases

Chapter 90, Tianying Chapter, ends.

"It's better that this chaotic Tianying City is gone."

Tianquan was surprised by Zhou Zhao's words and couldn't help but sigh.

After a moment, he asked again, "Zhou Zhao, is there really justice in this world? Can the law truly protect ordinary people? Although I am a damned thief, it is somewhat shameless of me to ask such a question, but I still can't help but ask on behalf of the unfortunate people in Tianying City."

Not everyone in Tianying City is a bad person.

There are also those who rebel in despair amidst suffering.

There was one question he didn't ask aloud: he feared that once that Zhao Yizhou entered the city, he would indiscriminately massacre the entire population. In the eyes of the officials, sinners like them, mired in their own quagmire, were nothing more than rotting vermin.

They did not become sacrifices, but they still became victims of the sword.

"I will do my best, and justice will prevail."

Zhou Zhao answered seriously. She didn't want to make any boasts; she didn't believe it, and neither would Tian Quan.

As the first rays of sunlight fell upon Tianying City, the heavy Xuanwu Gate was slowly pushed open.

Zhou Zhao stood on the city wall, looking at Zhao Yizhou on his tall horse. His eyes were clear and bright. Although he tried to appear serious with a solemn face, he still gave people the impression of a "gentleman".

The army following behind him completely surrounded Tianying City.

For the first time, Zhou Zhao realized that Tianying City was both incredibly large and incredibly small.

Behind Zhao Yizhou followed two familiar faces. As soon as one of them entered the city, he looked up and shouted at the city wall, "Zhou Zhao, you don't think that just because you broke through Tianying City, you can ride on the back of your superiors and act like a tyrant, do you? You've become an official of the Court of Justice, and you still want to collect your salary without doing any work?"

As Chang Zuoping spoke, he looked at the people on the city wall with a blank expression.

There were three people standing on the city wall. The little girl in the middle was still wearing her arrogant and unrestrained black and white headband. Her clothes were still stained with blood. Although she looked a bit disheveled, she seemed to have grown taller for some reason.

To her left is King Liu Huang of Chu, wearing a bamboo hat.

Chang Zuoping searched for a long time but couldn't find the eyes. Unable to make eye contact, he could only cup his hands in greeting. He didn't wish the King of Chu well, because that would not only be unpleasant but would also offend him.

To Zhou Zhao's right, Chang Zuoping's pupils suddenly contracted, and he tightened the reins, causing the horse's front hooves to leap up.

If he wasn't mistaken, it was Su Changying, the young Marquis of Lu, who had been missing for many years.

Back then, the old Marquis of Lu was the most handsome man in Chang'an. Compared to him, the young Marquis of Lu, Su Changying, was like a tender cabbage core compared to an old cabbage stalk. After a few years, Su Changying's demeanor and bearing have surpassed his master's.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Zhao twitched the corner of his mouth, lightly leaped off the city wall, and landed in front of Chang Zuoping's horse.

"Your humble servant Zhou Zhao greets Chang Zuoping," Zhou Zhao said, bowing slightly.

Chang Zuoping shifted his gaze from Su Changying to the little girl in front of him.

Unbeknownst to him, the girl was outwardly bowing respectfully, but in reality, she was showing off the title "Your humble servant."

"Lord Chang, could you please cut back on all those red tape? I really feel like throwing up!" Min Cangzhi, pale as a ghost, staggered off his horse, leaning against the wall and covering his mouth, looking like a soul about to fall apart.

Heaven knows how Chang Zuoping, upon receiving the message by carrier pigeon and learning of the city's fall on July 15th, was dragged to Tianying City like a dead dog, showing no mercy. He usually spent his days composing poems, drinking wine, and listening to music; he couldn't possibly endure such torment. The horse didn't vomit, but he did—it was definitely a case of settling a personal score.

Chang Zuoping glared at Min Zangzhi, "You've disgraced our Court of Justice."

As he spoke, he dismounted and looked toward the main road in front of the city gate. The people in the city were divided into four groups, with someone at the front of each group carrying a table and holding a writing brush, asking questions earnestly.

Chang Zuoping waved his hand at Min Zangzhi, "No one is allowed to leave until the cases involving the people in the city are investigated. If there are murder cases, Zangzhi, you should record them in detail. If they are innocent, hand them over to Yi Zhou for settlement."

As he spoke, he glanced at Zhou Zhao and led her up to the other side of the city gate tower.

He glanced out of the corner of his eye and saw that Su Changying and Liu Huang were no longer there; the city tower was empty except for him and Zhou Zhao.

“Even if Min Zangzhi and I don’t come, you’ve done a great job.” Zhou Zhao was already doing what he had just instructed, and it was almost done.

As Chang Zuoping spoke, looking at the rising sun, he said, "But I still need to go through with Cangzhi to avoid leaving any hidden dangers. You understand, right? Even if you are fair and impartial, you will inevitably be attacked afterward and leave behind troubles because you know them."

Zhou Zhao was taken aback, not expecting Chang Zuoping to praise her and share these thoughts with her.

"Thank you, Lord Chang."

Chang Zuoping looked somewhat uneasy. "I'm not doing this for you, but for the reputation of the Court of Justice."

He then abruptly changed the subject, saying, "You shouldn't interfere with what happens next. Head back to Chang'an first. Leave the rest to me. Those who have done wrong will be punished, and those who have done good will have their crimes redeemed. Tianying City is in Dai, and Dai will handle many matters there."

Zhou Zhao's lips moved as if she wanted to say something, but Chang Zuoping gently patted her shoulder instead.

He didn't speak again, but instead gazed eastward. The sun had risen completely, illuminating the entire city of Tianying and brightening his heart as well.

Seeing Zhou Zhao descend from the city wall, Chang Zuoping muttered in the voice he had just heard, "She actually managed to get it done."

……

Zhou Zhao waited in Tianying City for three days, witnessing innocent people become citizens of the Dai Kingdom, and Zhao Yizhou arrange new places for them to live; he also saw those heinous criminals beheaded in front of everyone...

There were also many difficult cases, which Chang Zuoping and Min Zangzhi carried onto the carriage to Chang'an.

Until only Ye Bai remained in Tianying City.

He returned to the secret chamber in the cave of ten thousand coffins, where he offered incense to his comrades every day in the Hall of Heroes. His coffin had long been prepared, and he was just waiting for that day to come.

Cheng Yuyuan passed away the following day.

That day, Zhou Zhao also ate the red bean cake she steamed. She was a lady from a respectable family, who never lifted a finger to do housework. She only knew how to make this one dessert in her entire life, and she learned it for her child. The red bean cake was exceptionally fragrant, sweet, and soft. The next morning, she never opened her eyes again.

Cheng Ming committed suicide by her bedside.

"Lord Zhou, thank you for your kindness in saving me. I have promised Zhao Yizhou that I will stay in Dai to serve as an official. After all, we have known each other for a while. Tomorrow I will set off to return home and send back the ashes of Cheng Yuyuan and her son, as well as Cheng Ming and Cheng Dong. This will be a proper ending."

Yan Junyu, nicknamed "Little Tiger Tooth," left on the first day, quietly without saying goodbye to anyone.

Zhou Zhao, mounted on his horse, glanced back at Tianying City and said to the two beside him, "Changying, Ahuang, it's time for us to return to Chang'an."